Stop The Suffering...we can't do it without you
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Stop The Suffering...we can't do it without you
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Welcoming Your New Pet This section is provided to help prepare our new adoptive families for their new pet. Often times we find that having reasonable expectations will go a long way to ensuring a successful match. If you have just submitted your adoption or foster application please read through the following section carefully. Rescued dogs are very different than dogs you would receive from a breeder. In almost every case the dog will have been subjected to tremendous stress from being in the pound or being moved from their original home to new places - all in a very short period of time. IT IS CRITICAL that you are prepared to help your new pet make this transition.
Bonding with your dog Dogs are pack animals and need to be part of a pack. The
domesticated dog needs to be part of your family. They consider your
family to be their pack and need to find where they stand in the pack or family.
Consider your rescue dogs as adopted children. They need extra understanding,
love and patience. To have a loving pet, you need to bond with your pet just as
you would with an adopted child. Remember that you don’t know all that your pet
has been through prior to your adopting him. Like most children he won’t tell
you everything. A good obedience course is a very valuable bonding tool
with the added bonus of training your dog to be a good citizen.
Making the Successful Transition Help for the new owner of a previously owned dog. Before your dog comes home with you there are some things you need to know. We cannot anticipate what may occur with your dog, but there are some common problems which may arise. This section is designed to help you solve these problems. It is based on our own experiences and those of some of our adoptive families. DIARRHEA This is the most common problem to arise. Do not change your pet’s food for at least one month after adopting. You should introduce a new food gradually by mixing a small amount with the old food and gradually increasing the ratio of the new food to the old. A change in water sometimes triggers diarrhea, also. Diarrhea typically lasts one to two weeks. The usual cause is nerves. Once your dog is completely settled, the diarrhea will stop. Until then, treat with Kaopectate™ or Imodium AD™. Consult your veterinarian for correct dosage. CHEWING This is a problem that also is due to anxiety. Your new dog wants to please but is afraid it will mess up and be returned to the pound. They want only to please, but, as with children, sometimes the harder they try, the more they mess up. Be patient. Show your pet what he is allowed to chew and a firm "no" to what is not allowed. Put your pet in a crate or a separate room when you are unable to watch them. POSSESSIVENESS Some Rescue Dogs will become very possessive of one or all of the family members. This behavior should not be encouraged, but not severely corrected either. Again, a firm "no" usually works. As the dog bonds and becomes more secure with the family— usually within a month— this behavior will disappear. It is NEVER ok to beat a dog. Beating a dog only fosters future aggressive behavior. AGGRESSION Aggressive behavior is usually related to possessiveness. The dog is trying to protect one or more of the family members. This can be more difficult to handle, but it usually lasts only two or three weeks. Sometimes aggression is caused by fear of new surroundings. If your dog displays aggression, first, don’t have visitors— especially children. If you must have guests, put the dog in another room. Second, show the dog that certain people are okay by having someone hold the dog while you hug the person and tell the dog that this is a friend. When things are calm, sit down with your dog and explain that this behavior is not acceptable. This may sound odd, but face it, your dog is not stupid. He understands what you are telling him. DEPRESSION This condition sometimes manifests itself as a refusal to eat. The adopted dog may become depressed and refuse to eat. This is not a common problem and normally disappears in the first 24 to 72 hours. Be patient and loving. SEPARATION ANXIETY This is not a common occurrence but sometimes needs extra attention. A regular schedule with regular exercise will help. Usually it subsides within a month. This may take longer depending on how willing you are to work with this. It is caused by a fear of being dumped again. The dog doesn’t want a certain person to be out of its sight. In extreme cases dogs have been known to jump through windows to follow the person! First, try placing the dog in a crate when you must leave. Second, plan out the dogs new routine and how they will be incorporated into your schedule. Regularity in the dogs life will help more than you know. Finally, enroll the dog in an obedience class as soon as possible even if you know how to train. The obedience class is not so much for the training as it is to help the dog become confident and secure with you as well as itself. If the problem persists, consult your veterinarian. CRATE FEAR Most of our dogs are crate trained and love having their own space. Occasionally after being adopted and placed in a crate a dog may try to tear its crate apart to get loose. To work through this problem, you need to determine the reason for this behavior. It can be caused by several very different things: 1. Separation anxiety—see previous section. 2. Grown-up syndrome. These dogs decide or know that they don’t need to be crated and want to show that they can be trusted. 3. Brat hood—these dogs love being spoiled and want more.
ACCIDENTAL URINATION OR DEFECATION Even though your new pet is house trained, it may have an accident in your home the first or second week. This is because it is trying to learn your schedule. You must stick to a schedule whenever possible. You know that sometimes you have to go potty off schedule and just can’t wait. Well, it happens with dogs, too. Be patient.
DO’S AND DON’TS DO plan a regular schedule for your new dog and how your new pet will be incorporated into your daily routine. Consistency will go a long way to help eliminate potential problems. DON’T have a welcome home party or too many visitors the first month. DO enroll your dog in an obedience course as soon as possible. This helps with bonding. DON’T rub your dog’s nose in its accidents. It already knows it did wrong. It’s just learning a new schedule. DO praise your pet when it potties in the correct area. Put the dog on a schedule. DON’T put your baby or child on the dog’s back. This can paralyze the dog as well provoking a dog bite. Buy a pony if you want your child to ride an animal. DON’T allow children to remain unattended with your pets. This rule applies to ALL pets. DO always supervise all pet and children interaction. DON’T allow children to hit, bite or step on your dog. The child may or may not know how hard it has hit the dog. Correct the child for this behavior. Remember children need training and discipline, too. DON’T hit your pet as punishment. Treat your pet as an intelligent animal. Sit down and reason with your dog. You will be surprised how much the dog understands. DO reward your dog for good behavior. The magic words are "Good girl!" or "Good boy!" You like to be praised when you have done a good job. So does your dog. Positive reinforcement works! DON’T let a problem escalate to the point of dumping before asking for help. Call and ask for help before you get disgusted. When in doubt, email us. Many times none of these problems develop, but we want you to be prepared for the arrival of your new pet. Remember love and patience make a happy home, and your reward will be a long and mutually satisfying relationship.
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